Bone marrow transplant to be performed in Sri Lanka

A bone marrow transplant will be performed in Sri Lanka for the first time in December at Maharagama Cancer Hospital, Health Ministry sources said.

According to sources, the bone marrow transplant will be performed with the assistance of an Australian doctor (Professor) attached to St.Vincent Hospital, Australia. Such surgeries are presently performed in countries such as India and Singapore.

A single bone marrow transplant costs around Rs.30 to Rs.40 million and there are over 100 cancer patients on the waiting list to undergo this surgery in Sri Lanka.